Shabana Mahmood has vowed to challenge European judges to prevent Shamima Begum from returning to Britain.

The European Court of Human Rights has demanded answers from the UK over the decision to revoke Ms Begum’s citizenship after she travelled from east London to territory held by the so-called Islamic State.

The former UK national left the country aged 15 and was stripped of her citizenship in February 2019 on the grounds of posing a threat to national security after being “married off” to an IS fighter and she remains in a Syrian camp.

A document published by the European court earlier this month states Ms Begum is challenging the decision under Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights – prohibition of slavery and forced labour.

The case was lodged in December 2024 after she was denied the chance to challenge the removal of her British citizenship at the UK’s Supreme Court.

Sources say Ms Mahmood is however prepared to defend the decision to revoke Ms Begum’s citizenship, raising the prospect of a potential legal battle.

“The Home Secretary will robustly defend the decision to revoke Shamima Begum’s citizenship, which has been tested and upheld time and again in our domestic courts,” a Government source said.

“The Home Secretary will always put this country’s national security first.”

The Conservatives said Ms Begum should not be allowed back into the UK “under any circumstances”.

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